Electrical switch



UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

DEYsoN DExTEE. HORTON, OE DETROIT, ALBERT 1'. BALL, 0F EOYAL OAK, AND FREDERICK mm or HIGHLAND PARK, IIIcIITeAN, assIeNOEs To DETROIT FUSE & MFG. oomrANY, or DETROIT, MICHIGAN, A CORPORATION OF MICHIGAN.

ELECTRICAL SWITCH.

Specification of Letters Patent.

' Patented July 5, 1921.

Application filed March 4, 1916. Serial No. 82,197.

such as will enable others skilled in the art.

to make and use the same.

Our present invention relates to electr cal switches used for starting electric motors. Among the objects of our invention is the provision of a double throw switch in which the movable contacts cannot be thrown to running position without having first been moved to starting position. Another ob ect is to provide an arrangement which w1ll insure the rapid operation of the movable contacts from startln to running positions.

Other objects 0 our invention will manifest themselves upon a reading of the following specification:

Referring to the accompanying drawings, in which we have illustrated, by way of example only, one preferred embodiment of our invention, and in which like reference numerals represent like arts throughout the respective views, we wil proceed to describe the same in detail.

Figure 1 is a view in top plan of a doublethrow motor starting switch, the same being held in neutral or off position, by controlling mechanism which forms one of the important featuresof our present invention.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary detail illustrating the controlling means in released position, the operating switch crank about to close the circuit between the movable and stationary service contacts.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged detail of the form of connector employed to connect the movable knift-blade contacts with the operating crank of the switch in the embodiment illustrated in Figs. I and 2.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged detail of a modified mperor of Germany, residing at form of connector employed to connect the movable blade contacts with the operating crank of the switch.

The switch mechanism is housed within a sheet metal protecting housing, 1 which 1s provided with a hinged cover 2. The ends of this housing are apertured, said apertures being covered by removable end plates 3, which may be provided With convenientlyarranged knock-outs (not shown) for the accommodation of the entrance and exit conductors. These end plates 3 are held in place by inturned ears 4, stamped from the sides of the housing and screws 5, the latter also serving to form a, positive ground for the removable plates 3. Mounted within the casing and upon the bottom thereof is the insulating base 6, carrying the switch parts. These switch parts comprise the stationary running contacts 7 fuse holders 8, which accommodate the running fuses indicated at 8', starter contacts 9 and the stationary supports 10 which serve as pivot supports for the movable knife-blade contacts 11, pivotally mounted thereon at 12, and also as conductor-carrying parts for the current passing through the motor wires or conductors 13. Extending laterally across the housing and having hearings in the sides thereof is the operating crank 14. This operating .crank is preferably made of one piece of metal bent to form and has operable connection with the movable knife-blade contacts 11 through the insulating sleeves 15, and connecting devices 16, the latter being preferably made of two parts 17 and 18 held together by suitable screws 19 at one end, the opposite end of part 18 being prois provided with an aperture 18 to accom- 103 modate ,a connecting screw which fastens it to the knife-blade contact 11.

It will be understood that the crank 14 is capable of assuming two positions, one

.ward said running contacts without first engaging said starting contacts.

3. In an electrical switch oi. the character described, the combination with stationary starting contacts, of stationary running contacts, movable contacts, means for obstructing the path of movement of said movable contacts when moving from one set of said stationary contacts to another, and for looking such movable contacts in neutral position, and spring means for snapping said obstructing means into locking engagement with said movable contacts unless moved past said obstructing means with great rapidity, said spring means positioning said obstructing means in operative position and permitting its deflection in either direction.

4. A connection for connecting movable contacts with an operating crank, comprising a member adapted to be connected with the movable contact provided with a laterally-extending flanged portion, and a cooperating member adapted to encircle the crank, one end of the latter member having interlocking connection with said first member, and the other end having screw connection therewith.

5. In combination with an oscillatory switch member," a hinged plate provided with a recess arranged to cooperate with said switch member, said plate being adapted to confine said switch vmember when the same is in neutral or oif position and prevent its bein moved in one direction, while ermitting its movement in the opposite direction,,spring means bearing upon the plate and urging it into position to cooperate with the switch member when the latter is in neutral or off position, said spring means permitting the deflection of said plate in either direction.

6. The combination with a pivotally mounted switch crank, of a substantiall flat plate pivotally mounted in roximity t ereto, the plate being provided with a recessed portion, one side of said recess comprising a cam which is integral with the plate and bent out of the plane of the plate, said plate cooperating with the crank when at rest in the recess to. permit the crank to be moved only (past the cam whereby the plate is deflecte on its pivotal mounting, and spring means to return the plate to normal position after the crank has so deflected it.

7. The combination with a pivotally mounted switch crank, of a substantially flat rectangular plate pivotally mounted in proximity thereto, the plate being provided with a recessed portion along one edge, one corner of said plate being bent laterally to facilitate deflection of the plate when it is engaged by the crank to permit the latter to enter the recess, and spring means urging the plate to its normal position.

8. In a motor starter switch, the combination with the wall of a housing, of two series of stationary contacts, a series of pivotally mounted movable contacts for cooperating with said stationary contacts, a cooperating movable crank operably connected to said movable contacts for actuating the same to travel from one set of stationary contacts to the other, a ortion of said crank traveling in a path of movement parallel to said wall, an anchoring plate hingedly connected to said wall, and means for positioning said plate at right angles to said wall and in the path of movement of said crank portion when actuating said movable contacts to travel from one set of stationary contacts to the other, there being a recess in said plate for receiving said crank portion and locking the same and the thereto connected movable contacts in neutral position.

9. In a motor starter switch, the combination with the wall of a housing, of two series of stationary contacts, a series of pivotally mounted movable contacts for cooperating with said stationary contacts, a cooperating crank operably connected to said mov-' able contacts for actuating the same to travel from one set of stationary contacts to the other, a portion of said crank traveling in a path of movement parallel to said wall, an anchoring plate hingedly connected to said wall,'means for positioning said plate at right angles to said wall and in the ath of movement of said crank portion w on actuating said movable contacts to travel from one set of stationary contacts to the other, means on said plate for anchoring said crank portion and the thereto connected movable contacts in neutral osition, and means for preventing removal of said crank portion from engagement with said plate in one direction but facilitating the removal thereof in the other direction.

10. In a motor starter switch, the combination with the wall of a housing, of two series of stationary contacts, a series of pivotally mounted movable contacts for cooperating with said stationary contacts, a cooperating crank operably connected to said movable contacts for actuating the same to travel from one set of stationary contacts to the other, a portion of said crank traveling in a path of movement parallel to said wall, an anchoring plate hingedly connected to said wall, and means for resiliently positioning said plate at right angles to said wall and in the path of movement of said crank portion when actuating said movable contacts to travel fromone set of stationary contacts to the other, there being a recess in said plate for receiving said crank portion and locking the same and the thereto connected movable contacts in neutral position, a portion of said plate adjacent to one side of said recess serving to prevent the removal of said crank portion from said recess when urged in one direction, and a portion of: said plate adjacent to the other side of said recess constituting a cam to facilitate the removal of said crank portion when urged in the other direction.

-11. In a motor starter switch, the combination with the wall of a housing, of stationary running contacts, stationary starting contacts, a series of pivotally mounted movable contacts for alternately cooperating with said stationary contacts, a cooperating crank operably connected to said movable contacts for actuating the same to travel from one set of stationary contacts to the other, a portion of said crank traveling in a path of movement parallel to said wall, an anchoring plate hingedly connected to said wall, means for resiliently positionin said plate at right angles to said wal and in the path of movement of said crank portion when actuating said movable contacts to travel from one set of stationary contacts to the other, there being a recess in said plate for receiving said crank portion and locking the same and the thereto connected movable contacts in neutral position, a portion of said plate adjacent to one side of said recess serving to prevent the removal of said crank portion from said recess when urged in one direction, and a portion of said plate adjacent to the other side of said recess constituting a cam to facilitate the removal of said crank portion when ur ed in the other direction, and another portion of said plate being bent laterally to facilitate the oscillation of said plate when said crank portion is moved from the running position to the neutral position.

12. In a motor starter switch, the combination with the wall of a housing, of stationary running contacts, stationary starting contacts, a series of pivotally mounted movable contacts for alternately cooperating with said stationary contacts, a cooperating crankv operably connected to said movable contacts for actuating the same to travel from one set of stationary contacts to the other, a portion of said crank traveling in a path of movement parallel to said wall, an anchoring plate hmgedly connected to said wall, means for resiliently ositionin said plate at right angles to said wall an in the path of movement of said crank portion when actuating said movable contacts to travel from one set of stationary contacts to the other, there being a recess in said late for receiving said crank portion and lbcking the same and the thereto connected movable contacts in neutral position, 'a portion of said plate adjacent to one side of said recess serving to prevent the, removal of said crank portion from said recess when ur ed in one direction, and a ortion of said p ate adjacent to the other si e'of said recess constituting'a cam to facilitate the removal of connected movable contacts said crank ortion when urged in the other direction, tl ie cam also engaging the crank to oscillate the same to permit the crank portion to be moved rapidly past the recess in the first direction.

13. In a motor starter switch, the combination with the wall of a housing, of two series of stationary contacts, a series of pivotally mounted movable contacts for cooperating with said stationary contacts, a cooperating crank operably connected tosaid movable contacts for actuating the same to travel from one set of stationary contacts to the other, a portion of said crank travelin in a path of movement parallel to said wal an anchoring plate hingedly connected to said wall, means on said plate for anchoring said crank portion and the thereto in neutral position, an arcuate rod extending through said plate connected to said wall at one end and having a stop at its other end, and spring means between said plate and said sto and wall to normally maintain said plate 1n extended position and in the path of movement of said crank portion.

14. In a motor starter switch, the combination with a housing, two series of stationary contacts, a series of pivotally mounted movable contacts for cooperating with either series of stationary contacts, an operating crank independently pivoted in the walls of the housing for movmg said movable contacts, internal means for allowing said operating crank to move said movable contacts only in one definite order, said internal means directly engaging said operating crank.

15. A motor starter having stationary starting contact members, stationary running contact members and movable contact members cooperative therewith, means for operating said movable contact members in unison, means for controlling the sequence of operation of the movable contact members, means urging the movable contacts toward the runnlng contacts, and means comprising a casing with a cover for inclosing the aforesaid, the positioning of the movable contact members and operation of the sequence controlling means being independent of the cover, whose removal afi'ords access to all the inclosed parts.

16. In a motor starting switch having stationary starting and running contact members, and cooperative movable contact members, the combination of means controllin the se uence of operations of said switcl? and a1 owing only a rapid motion of the movable contact members from starting to running position, and automatic means for quickly throwing said switch from starting to running position.

17. In a motor starting switch having stationary starting and running contact members and cooperative movable contact members, the comblnation of means controlling the sequence of operations of said switch and sioned member, and automatic means for.

quickly throwing said switch from starting toirunning position.

18. In a motor starting switchliaving stationary starting and running contact members and cooperative movable contact members, and a cross head comiecting said movable contact members, the combination of means controlling the sequence of operations of said switch, comprising a member directly engaging said cross head and automatic -means for throwing said switch from ing to running position.

19. In a motor starting switch having stationary starting and running contact members and cooperative movable contact members and a cross head connecting said movable members, the combination of means controlling the sequence of operations of said switch, comprising a member directly engaging said cross head and allowing only a rapid motion of the movable contact members from starting to running position, and automatic means for throwing said switch from startin to runnin osition.

BR SON DEX R HORTON. ALBERT P. BALL. I Y FREDERICK ZENKER.

start- I W. E. LEIGHTON.

SOUND POST.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 5. 1920.

3 30 v E Patented July 5, 1921.

my. k. A

WITNESSES I i I I INVENTOR w/mm L". L e/g/rfan.

@622 By W WW M W ATTORNEYS 

